Through December 31, 2025, donations to Community Action's Gathering Place will be matched $1 for $1.
For over 40 years, the Gathering Place has been a constant in our community—a trusted refuge offering free evening meals to individuals facing homelessness, housing instability, or food insecurity.
For our neighbors like Denise, the Gathering Place is more than a meal, It's her Always. You know that place; Somewhere you are safe, known, and accepted. That stability is rare for her and for many others.
In 2025, demand for the Gathering Place's services continued on an all-time high.
- We provided, and continue to provide, meals to over 150 people per night.
- We consistently serve over 4,000 meals a month, free of charge.
- In the last 12 months, we've served 55,330 meals.
- This work is consistent with the 27% increase experienced in 2024.
With the generous support of people like you, we've been able to meet this need.
Yet, the need for the Gathering Place's services continues to grow.
To keep pace with the need, we've made our fundraising goal for 2025 to be $275,000.
You can help us meet this goal.
Yet you won't be acting alone.
Through December 31st, your gift will be matched 1:1, thanks to generous support from this year's lead sponsor, Acklie Charitable Foundation, and additional sponsors. This is the most impactful time to support the Gathering Place.
For Denise and many of our neighbors, the Gathering Place is Always a source of warmth, dignity, and hope. Your support makes that possible. Give today and impact a life.
Thank you for considering a gift to Community Actions' Gathering Place as a way to nourish and enrich the lives of your neighbors.
DONATE NOW or mail contributions to:
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties
Attn: The Gathering Place
210 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Denise, known as Momma D, is a self-taught master house painter with four grown children and a grandson. She’s a Lincoln native. Her nickname comes from the days when her home was the hangout spot—filled with warmth, laughter, and good food. She’ll celebrate a birthday in November. If there’s cake, it should be her favorite - chocolate!
In the last year, Denise has slept outside for approximately 365 nights. She has no tent. She finds a place to lay her head in a park, a doorway, a lighted stairwell. “The nights are all right, as long as it's not raining and storming or cold,” she said.
“The main thing of surviving out here is just never letting your guard down.” The fatigue is written in her face.
For one hour a day, she finds rest in the big house on the corner, at Community Action’s Gathering Place. “It's always good to know that you can come here and get a good meal. Always can.”
To Denise, the Gathering Place is more than a meal—it’s an Always place.
In a life marked by instability and deep vulnerability, it offers something rare: consistency. Every evening from 5 to 6 p.m., she knows she’ll find a warm meal, a place to rest, and a friendly face that reminds her she matters. For a moment, her shoulders relax. And that moment matters.
“It just, the attitude and everything with the staff. It just uplifts you,” she explained.
One of those friendly faces is Kathy. She’s often found in the tiny kitchen at the Gathering Place, prepping the evening meal. “We’re never sure how many guests we’ll serve. Could be 150, could be 175. That’s why we always have a backup plan,” she said with a smile.
There’s that word again. Always. It implies consistency, a pattern of regularity, a feeling. It’s the reason a meal is ready every evening for whomever shows up at the door. No questions asked. “Just serving the community here is great,” Kathy said. “Just to know everybody is getting fed.”
Beyond a meal, Denise describes the Gathering Place as friendly and insightful. Every meal is served by volunteers, many serving for years. They offer more than food. “I’ve gotten to know some of the people coming,” said one long-time volunteer. “Everyone is noticed.” Why keep coming back? “I’ve been paycheck-to-paycheck. You can be fine today and need help tomorrow,” the volunteer shared. “So, I’m helping today. For now, that’s by gently ladling food into a box.”
The volunteers words capture the reality faced by many who walk through these doors.
“I'm a good person,” Denise quietly said. “I have a good heart, hardworking, but just down on my luck and I need a hand up, not a handout.”
Before leaving, a Gathering Place staff member hands Denise a clean pair of socks and a smile. A bit of warmth for the night.
You can support your neighbors today. Please give. Thank you.
